MELBOURNE:- A special session on Nepal’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) was organized on the last day of the global conference ‘Women Deliver 2026’ held in Australia from April 27-30.
The session, jointly organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), ORAC Nepal and One Heart Worldwide, discussed in depth the status, achievements and challenges of SRHR in Nepal.
FWLD advocate Sabin Shrestha said that while Nepal’s constitution guarantees reproductive health as a fundamental right, the contradiction between the right to safe abortion and the Criminal Code of Nepal means that more than 50 percent of abortions are unsafe. He stressed the need for safe abortion to be completely decriminalized, for obstetric violence to be defined in law and for perpetrators to be held accountable, and for clear laws on alternative reproductive technologies.
Dr. Renu Adhikari of OREC Nepal stressed the importance of continuous campaigning, citing patriarchal thinking and social stigma as major obstacles to SRHR. Surya Bhatta of One Heart Worldwide highlighted the need for safe and dignified maternity services.
The program concluded that effective implementation, along with legal reforms, social mindset changes, and global collaboration are essential to ensure SRHR.